The Juniper bonsai tree (Juniper Procumbens Nana) is a very small plant that originated in Japan. This bonsai tree was also made famous because of the movie “The Karate Kid” and every time people think of a bonsai tree the Juniper bonsai tree comes into mind. In Japan, because of the very cold climate, it is all right to leave the plant under direct sunlight. However, in other countries it is kept indoors because of the changing seasons.
The Juniper Bonsai Trees has a very hard trunk that does not flower and because of these features it is considered very easy to trim and train. This specie of bonsai also grows fast and with long branches they can be trained in a variety of styles except the broom style. The branches are easy to train and shape because of their good response to wiring. Other species of bonsai trees are very hard to reshape because of their stiffness although it is still possible. In other words, the Juniper bonsai tree is the perfect plant to design according to your style.
Another advantage of culturing a Juniper bonsai tree is that it can be placed indoors or outdoors even during the winter season although the temperature should not go below 59 degrees. During winter it is very important to protect the wiring from frost.
Some guidelines when growing Juniper bonsai tree:
Temperature and lighting:
If you plan on placing the Juniper bonsai tree indoors, make sure that it will receive at least two hours of direct sunlight everyday. To avoid the plant from drying out, place it far from an air conditioner. Also, make sure that the roots are protected from heat and cold. Always check the soil of the plant and make sure that it is not dry. If the plant is placed outdoors, water it every two days. The plant should be placed in direct sunlight during winter to survive the freezing cold.
Soil feeding:
Do not use rapid-growth fertilizers and application of fertilizers should be done moderately. They should only be applied on the soil and not on the plant because it could die.
Trimming and sculpting:
The new growth of the plant should be removed during spring and fall. The trimming should be carefully and artistically performed for a beautiful result. The roots of the Juniper bonsai tree should also be trimmed every two years.
Culturing a Juniper bonsai tree is a great hobby because it is a good stress reliever.
